[William Grant Still (Photo is the sole property of William Grant Still Music, and is used with permission.)]
On July 1, 2010, AfriClassical posted: “William Grant Still's 'Danzas de Panama' at Southwest Chamber Music Summer Festival July 10 & 11.” CultureSpotLA.com provides this review:
July 18, 2010
By Wendy Kikkert
Classical Music and Opera
Each year I look forward to Southwest Chamber Music Summer Festival at the Huntington. To enjoy the beauty of the grounds, the art, and exquisite chamber music in the cool of a summer evening is a cultural experience unrivaled in Southern California.”
“Two works for string quartet concluded the program: Danzas de Panama by William Grant Still, and Dvorák’s String Quartet in F major, Op. 96, American. It was an interesting pairing, to hear a piece by the American composer Still that incorporates melodies from Panama juxtaposed with the Czech composer’s perceptions of the United States. Still’s piece resonated with sun-drenched color, lively dance rhythms, and the percussive sounds of native instruments.”
William Grant Still (1895-1978) is profiled at AfriClassical.com, where a complete Works List by Prof. Dominique-René de Lerma is found. Here is an excerpt from the entry on Danzas de Panama, indicating that the work was premiered by the Waldo Latin-American String Quartet on May 21, 1948 at the Los Angeles County Museum:
“Danzas de Panamà, for string quartet (1948). New York: Southern Music, 1953 (#197-31). 32p. 1. Tamborito; 2. Mejorana y sovacón; 3. Punto; 4. Cumbia y congo. After melodies collected by Elisabeth Waldo. Première: 1948/V/21; Los Angeles County Museum; Waldo Latin-American String Quartet. Duration: 15:00. Library: Library of Congress (also photocopy of manuscript, 57p., 48-39735), Lucks (11515).”
Danzas de Panamaresonated with sun-drenched color
Wendy Kikkert
Southwest Chamber Music
Culture Spot LA
Music Review
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